Hostess Nightmare: Dealing with Unreturned Calls

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread discusses the challenges participants face when hostesses do not return calls regarding orders after a show. Several users share their personal experiences and frustrations with unresponsive hostesses and the impact on their sales.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of trying to reach a hostess multiple times without success, expressing frustration over the lack of communication.
  • Another participant recounts a similar situation where their hostess, who was also a consultant, did not provide any orders despite previous interest.
  • Several users mention the difficulty of managing shows when hostesses do not follow through, with one participant noting the importance of timely communication to avoid inconveniencing customers.
  • One participant suggests adding orders to another show to avoid extra shipping costs and emphasizes the need for a final communication attempt with the hostess.
  • Another participant updates that they eventually spoke with their hostess, who had minimal orders, highlighting the uncertainty in closing shows.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on how to handle unresponsive hostesses, with some participants suggesting different approaches to managing orders and communication, indicating no clear consensus on the best method.

Contextual Notes

The thread reflects personal experiences within the consultant community regarding the challenges of hostess communication and its effects on sales, without implying any official guidance from Pampered Chef.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants facing similar issues with hostesses may find the shared experiences and strategies discussed in this thread relevant to their own situations.

Chef_2_Four
Chef_2_Four
Messages
948
I had a show almost 2 weeks ago. I called the hostess yesterday, she was supposed to be getting more orders. anyway she said oh becky gave me her's but she is in the bathroom I will call you back in a minute. well she never called this was at 330pm. so I call about 7 and left a message. i called her today and left a message still no call back. so I call becky who is her mom, at 730pm and she said i'm still at work let me call you back. here it is at 930 and still no call back. i got her an order at work and now she wont' return my calls. how much longer do I need to keep trying to call her!!! it is so annoying!! i dispise calling hostess and they never call back!! grrr!! anyway I will call tomorrow and tell her flat out if she doesn't call me back then I will submit orders as individual orders and pay difference for shipping or add them to another show that I have closing this week. what do you guys think?
 
That sucks April. Why do people do that. It is nuts that people feel they have to do that to begin with. I ahd the same thing happened to me. My host was a consultant with Home & Garden, so my last message was something like- I am sorry to have bothered you so many times, you seemed to have wanted this show. As a consultant you must understand the time and energy I have put towards trying to make this successful...... - she got it and told me she did not have any outside orders nor anyone interested interested in attending. ( We were trying to do a show then switched to a catalog show) . I would take the orders and add it to another show and explain to the host that her friends are expecting their products and you don't want to hold them up, and you don't want them to have pay the extra shipping costs. Saying your in the bathroom and not return the call is the craziest excuse. Good luck.
Jane
 
I'm going through this too.... It's so frustrating... I called her Tuesday to close and she said she had no more orders (barely totals $100 according to her) and that she'd have to call me back today (thurs) to give them to me even though she was at home! I really hope I get them from her today cause I have a host who really worked hard who had 4 people back out of ordering anything. She could really use the sales!
 
LBurke said:
I'm going through this too.... It's so frustrating... I called her Tuesday to close and she said she had no more orders (barely totals $100 according to her) and that she'd have to call me back today (thurs) to give them to me even though she was at home! I really hope I get them from her today cause I have a host who really worked hard who had 4 people back out of ordering anything. She could really use the sales!
Click to expand...

Remember you can make them co-hosts so they both get the 10% host discount for a year. Good luck closting the show.
 
Chef_2_Four said:
I had a show almost 2 weeks ago. I called the hostess yesterday, she was supposed to be getting more orders. anyway she said oh becky gave me her's but she is in the bathroom I will call you back in a minute. well she never called this was at 330pm. so I call about 7 and left a message. i called her today and left a message still no call back. so I call becky who is her mom, at 730pm and she said i'm still at work let me call you back. here it is at 930 and still no call back. i got her an order at work and now she wont' return my calls. how much longer do I need to keep trying to call her!!! it is so annoying!! i dispise calling hostess and they never call back!! grrr!! anyway I will call tomorrow and tell her flat out if she doesn't call me back then I will submit orders as individual orders and pay difference for shipping or add them to another show that I have closing this week. what do you guys think?
Click to expand...
I would not pay the shipping difference in this kind of case. I would add the orders to someone else's show (local to you) and either have the show shipped to you or give the host something extra for the trouble (hopefully those orders will also raise her show total and she'll get more free from PC).

Of course I would give that host one last chance to get back to you - "I will wait to hear from you until xx oclock tomorrow and then I will put the orders that I have on another show so your guests can get their items." I would preface that with "I hope everything is okay with you and you don't have some family emergency that I am not aware of but..."
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
updateI did talk to her and she only got a $30 order. So her total sales are around a $100. I may have an order I can add to her show but I won't know for a day or so. Good thing it doesn't have to be submitted by a certain time!! anyway thanks ladies!!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my hostess isn't returning my calls?

If your hostess isn't returning your calls, try reaching out through different communication methods such as text messages or emails. Sometimes, a change in medium can prompt a response. Be sure to keep your messages friendly and understanding, as they may be busy or overwhelmed.

How long should I wait before following up with a non-responsive hostess?

It's generally a good idea to wait about a week after your initial contact before following up. This gives your hostess enough time to respond while also showing that you are still interested in working with them. If you still don't hear back, consider sending a gentle reminder.

What can I say to encourage a hostess to respond?

You can encourage a hostess to respond by expressing your excitement about the potential party and how much you value their participation. A message like, "I can't wait to help you plan an amazing party! Let me know how I can assist you," can motivate them to get back to you.

Should I consider dropping the hostess if they continue to ignore me?

If a hostess continues to ignore your attempts to reach out after multiple follow-ups, it may be time to consider moving on. However, it's important to remain professional and leave the door open for future communication. You can let them know you're available whenever they're ready to proceed.

How can I prevent hostess nightmares in the future?

To prevent hostess nightmares, set clear expectations from the start regarding communication and timelines. Make sure your host understands their role and the importance of staying in touch. Additionally, consider having a backup plan in case a hostess becomes unresponsive, such as having another potential hostess lined up.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

Maximizing Sales with Hostess Calls and Outside Orders - A Success Story
  • Chef_2_Four
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
2
Views
1K
Admin Greg
Maximize Your Hostess Success with M & M's Hostess Poem - Pampered Chef Tips
  • Connie
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
4
Views
5K
DebPC
Should I Make Them Share Hostess Benefits?
  • lesliec
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
4
Views
2K
Wildfire
Hostess Lives in Md, Party Is Being Held in Pa
  • pampered.chris
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
8
Views
2K
pampered.chris
What to Do When a Hostess Doesn't Get Guests for a Show?
  • kittychef
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
12
Views
3K
Sheila
Host Calls After 1AM: Booked for Over a Month and Guest List Drama Ensues
  • byrd1956
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
11
Views
3K
byrd1956
Hostess Won't Return Calls or E-Mail--Host Coaching Impossible!!!
  • chefjwr
    • Pampered Chef Shows
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
dwyerkim
Thursday Night Show: Exciting Hostess and Overdue Patient Story!
  • mrssyvo
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
22
Views
2K
katie0128
Advice Needed: Dealing With A Hostess Who Won't Close show
  • cookn' katie
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
20
Views
3K
JAE
Dealing with a No-Show Host: Tips and Advice for Direct Sales Consultants
  • jwagner75
    • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
4
Views
2K
Wildfire
Back
Top